Harlandale makes it official, hires superintendent

Updated 9:50 pm, Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Rey Madrigal (center), a 31-year veteran of the district who grew up attending its schools, was picked as interim chief in June.

Rey Madrigal (center), a 31-year veteran of the district who grew up attending its schools, was picked as interim chief in June.

Photo: Express-News File Photo

Harlandale makes it official, hires superintendent

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Harlandale Independent School District has a new superintendent — Rey Madrigal, a 31-year veteran of the district who grew up attending the schools he now will run.

Trustees voted 6-0 Wednesday to hire him. They picked him as interim superintendent in June, and designated him the sole finalist last month.

The unanimous vote signaled a renewed harmony among trustees, whose discord in recent years some believe contributed to the departure of the district's last superintendent, Robert Jaklich.

He resigned to take the top job in Victoria ISD last year, after leading the district through improvements that drew several accolades, and the board endured harsh public criticism as he left.

Madrigal told the audience at district headquarters Wednesday that he was the oldest of six boys and said his parents taught them that education would be the way to a better life.

“I started at the age of 18 here as a paraprofessional and was surrounded by mentors and professionals early on,” Madrigal said. “Years ago, I sat in these classrooms and seats as our students do today and will show every effort to make sure they have the best education possible.”

Madrigal will make an annual salary of $165,000 under a contract that expires in June 2015.

After the vote, board president David Abundis presented Madrigal with new business cards, the word “superintendent” under his name, and trustee Joshua Cerna handed over an umbrella with Harlandale's logo saying the district will prevail “rain or shine.”

Trustee Tomas Uresti was absent for medical reasons but has supported Madrigal. Trustees expressed amazement in seeing one of their “homegrown” products take the helm of the South Side district of about 15,000 students.

Madrigal is a former principal of Harlandale High School, his alma mater, where he helped turn around the campus' state rating from “academically unacceptable” to “recognized” in four years. He's also been credited with a diplomatic touch among various feuding factions in district politics.

“I don't take sides,” Madrigal has said. “I'd rather funnel my energy and time into improving our schools. I can't worry about things I have no control over.”

Several trustees alluded to various challenges that they said Madrigal handled well as interim superintendent, such as district personnel issues aired out publicly.

“It's been said that it is not easy being superintendent of Harlandale ISD, but the little time you served as interim superintendent has shown minor adversity,” trustee Anthony Alcoser said.

Parents and students last fall complained about a dance coach placed on leave after a photo of her on Facebook was deemed inappropriate, a matter still not resolved. Last month, Harlandale teachers and parents said at a board meeting they were unhappy with decisions made by a new principal at Vestal Elementary, although Madrigal plans to stand by her in that case, district spokeswoman Leslie Garza said.

“Yes, there have been some difficult moments,” trustee Velma Ybarra told Madrigal at the meeting. “But we are very proud of you. This is really a very moving time for the community to see one of your own come and lead a school district.”